Dairy Cow Breeds

Question 1

What tends to be less compared to beef breeds?

Answer 1

Muscular composition

Question 2

All major dairy breeds originated from…

Answer 2

Europe

Question 3

Different breeds will be distinguished by…

Answer 3

Color and size

Question 4

Breeds are not frequenty…

Answer 4

Crossbred

Question 5

Breed selection is based on what?

Answer 5

-Milk volume
-Milk quality
-Udder conformation
-Feet and legs
-Body size
-Reproductive efficency

Question 6

What are the 3 groups of breeds cows categorized into?

Answer 6

-Purebred/Registered
-Grade/Commecial

Question 7

What are the qualities of purebred/registered cows?

Answer 7

-Have a pedigree that is traceable
-Registered in a breed association
-May command a high price as breeding stock
-More sought after for export
-Show animals

Question 8

What are the qualities of grade/commercial cows?

Answer 8

-Do not come from a registered sire and dan
-Bred to produce milk rather than breeding stock
-Tend to create more milk than registered/purebred

Question 9

What are the common dairy breeds in the US?

Answer 9

-Holstein-Friesian
-Jersey
-Brown swiss
-Ayrshire
-Guernsey
-Milking shorthorn

Question 10

Factors of the Holstein-Friesian

Answer 10

-Origin: Netherlands
-Color: Black/red and white
-Most common cow in the US (90%)
-Largest dairy breed
-#1 average milk production
-#5 in milkfat production (3.6%)
-Low heat tolerance

Question 11

Factors of the Red and White Holstein

Answer 11

-Color change from a recessive gene
-Same statistics as the black and white Holstein

Question 12

Factors of the Jersey

Answer 12

-Origin: Isle of Jersey (British Isles)
-Color: cream, light fawn, grey/mouse, dark brown, black muzzle
-Smallest dairy breed
-#2 most common cow in the industry
-#1 in milkfat production (5.5%)
-Most efficient at converting food to milk
-High fertility, low dystocia

Question 13

Dystocia

Answer 13

Calving difficulty

Question 14

Factors of the Guernsey

Answer 14

-Origin: Isle of Gurnsey (Britsh Isles)
-Color: Any shade of fawn (light brown to red) with white markings. Purebred will have white hooves, udder, tail, and muzzle
-Moderate size (#4)
-#4 in milk production
-#2 in milkfat production (4.7-5%)
-Early maturing breed
-Produce golden milk that is high in protein and fat

Question 15

Factors of the Brown Swiss

Answer 15

-Origin: Switzerland
-Color: Solid brown (light to grey-brown), dark switch and hooves, deep brown eyes, black nose and tongue
-2nd largest dairy breed
-#2 in milk production
-#3 in milkfat average (4.0%)
-Slow maturing breed
-Longest gestation period of dairy breeds
-Good grazers
-Higher heat tolerance
-Docile

Question 16

Factors of the Ayshire

Answer 16

-Origin: Scottland
-Color: Red/mahogany/brown, may have white
-Moderately sized (#4)
-#3 in milk production
-#3 in milkfat average (4.0%)
-Good grazers
-Vigorigous
-Used to have 1ft horns but were bred out

Question 17

Factors of the milking shorthorn

Answer 17

-Origin: England
-Color: Red/red and white/white/roan
-Moderately sized (#3)
-#5 in milk production
-#3 in milkfat average (4.0%)
-Dual-purpose breed (both dairy and meat)
-Adaptable to multiple climates